Tap Water Results

Is Bay City, MI tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of Bay City.

3 public water systems serve parts of Bay City. The largest, City of Bay City, serves 32,255 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Bay City

32,255 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID MI0000470

Buys treated water from Bay Area Water System.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 8 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Across Michigan, 5 of 311 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Michigan results.

Bay City homes and lead pipes

89%
of homes built before 1980 (Michigan 62%, US 50%)
57%
built before 1950 (Michigan 22%)
30%
of households rent (Michigan 27%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Bay City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Bay City

  • Beaver Township Water System
    1,211 people · Purchased surface water · Michigan · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Bay Area Water System
    Wholesale supplier (sells water to other systems) · Surface water · Michigan · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Saginaw charter 12 mi
Saginaw Charter Township Water System
Saginaw Charter Township Water SystemNone above limits1.6 ppb
Saginaw 12 mi
City of Saginaw
City of SaginawNone above limits9 ppb
Midland 17 mi
City of Midland
City of MidlandNone above limits2.48 ppb
Flint 40 mi
City of Flint
City of FlintNone above limits3 ppb
Flint charter 41 mi
Genesee County Water System
Genesee County Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Burton 43 mi
City of Burton
City of BurtonNone above limits0 ppb
Bay City ZIP codes (1)
  • 48708

Questions

Is Bay City tap water safe to drink?

City of Bay City had 1 health-based violation since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Bay City, MI?

3 public water systems serve parts of Bay City. The largest is City of Bay City (32,255 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Bay City tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Bay City had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Bay City homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 89% of Bay City homes as built before 1980 (Michigan: 62%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. City of Bay City's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.